§ MR. O'GRADYI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been directed to the death of W. Harris, an under shunter in the employ of the Midland Railway Company at Leeds; whether such death was caused through what is known as gravitation shunting, the men employed having to run to the wagons, and put down hand brakes, when the wagons have reached the level, and are travelling at the rate of 20 miles an hour; and whether, in view of the dangerous practice and the loss of life that must ensue, especially during the winter months of fog and darkness, he will take steps to obviate such danger by reducing the height of the bank down which the wagons have to run, and thus minimise the speed, by insisting on hand brakes to be fixed each side of the wagons, by the ballast between the sidings being improved, and the staff of brakesmen at the danger point being augmented.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe accident referred to has been reported to the Board of Trade by the railway company, and I have directed that an inquiry shall be held.